I really want to correct the misconception that Catholicism is just a branch of Christianity and at the same time correct the lie that Catholicism is not Christian. Catholicism is NOT just a branch of Christianity. Catholicism IS Christianity. Other Christian sects are just poor imitations of Catholicism. They separated from Catholicism and invented their own teachings to suit their own personal agenda. Others have strayed so far that calling them Christians is not only inaccurate but absolutely false (E.g., religions that claim to be Christians but reject the Trinity, like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons, which, ridiculously enough, claim they restored Christianity). Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Trinity but the basic tenet of Christianity is the Trinity, so how can one be a Christian if he, or she, rejects the Trinity? To say that a Christian is someone who follows Jesus’ teachings is being vague since Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own version of Jesus. Their Jesus is not the Jesus that Christians know. Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Jesus is just an angel. But when Jehovah’s Witnesses are deliberately trying to mislead Christians away from Christianity, they claim that Jesus is also a god (implying that Jesus is merely a creation among many). In the US Christianity is too watered-down that only a very few have an idea of what Christianity really is. The problem is the watered-down Christianity is spreading like wild fire across the globe so ignorance of Christianity is spreading (Ignorance of Catholicism is ignorance of Christianity). I blame it on the bible fundamentalists who know nothing about the history of Christianity because they’re well-versed in their revisionist history. Bible fundamentalists, who prefer to be called as just “Christians” (to own that word), or “born again”, are continuously lying about the teachings of Catholicism. They also chime in with anti-Catholic “atheists”, or any anti-Catholics, in highlighting the individual Catholic’s flaw in an attempt to say that Catholicism is evil. They would do anything, no matter what it takes, to destroy Catholicism. They mean us harm. No, I’m not being paranoid. In bible fundamentalists’ (and anti-Catholics in general) attempt to destroy Catholicism, they’re attempting to destroy our way to know God. But I’m not only blaming the bible fundamentalists. I know that a lot of cradle Catholics (like myself) are guilty of being indifferent for so long that we failed to defend Catholicism from the lies and venom that those bible fundamentalists are spewing against Catholicism. On top of that, Catholicism is also being attacked from within by some Catholics with the same venom and lies that bible fundamentalists spew, not to mention the Catholic priests that gave Catholicism shame (they opened a door for enemies to attack Catholicism by committing crimes against children). Now, many people see that as an opportunity to shame Catholicism into silence in an attempt to destroy Catholicism. So, as devout Catholics, we must make our true doctrines known. Like Fr. Barron said, “Catholic stories are being told by the wrong people in the wrong way. We need to tell our own story. We need to get the message out so as to draw people in”. It is our duty as Catholics to spread the fullness of truth, which is God, and which only Catholicism can provide because Catholicism is The Church that Jesus built. We, Catholics must be steadfast in our devotion to God by defending our faith.

When I was little I really believed that Santa Claus exists. I even wondered, one morning, why Santa didn’t wait for me to give me a ride on his sleigh, like the little girl in the drawing that I saw in the card. I asked my grandfather about it and he gave a good laugh and told everybody about what I said. I felt so embarrassed and didn’t understand why they were laughing at me.

I used to look forward to Christmas because I looked forward to receiving gifts (I know it’s selfish but, most kids are, so what?), but whenever I hear the song “Santa Claus is coming to town” and whenever I hear the part, “He knows when you’ve been bad or good…” it always made me feel unsure if I will receive a present because I know I haven’t been good. I know I always get into trouble, and I know I have been very mean.

Anyway…

One Christmas my older brother broke the news: “Santa is not real”. I asked in utter disbelief, “What, what are you talking about???” Not even a tiny bit of doubt crept in my mind but my older brother was so insistent to prove to me that he’s speaking the truth so he urged me to ask our mom. So we asked our mom, and her reaction was enough for me to know that my older brother is telling the truth. That’s the first huge blow to me. What a disappointment! I can say it’s traumatic to know that truth. It’s too much of a disappointment for a little child to take (At least, that was to me, seriously). I think that’s the beginning of my skepticism. I thought if Santa is not real, what makes God real? We have been introduced to Santa’s existence the same way we have been introduced to God’s existence – from generation to generation of beliefs and traditions. I also would like to add that just like many people say they’ve seen Jesus’ image, many people also say they’ve seen Santa. As a Catholic, I have my doubts concerning God’s existence because of the traumatic disappointment I’ve had after learning the truth regarding Santa’s existence, or non-existence for that matter. For a Christian it’s not funny if you really think about it, because it will affect your belief in God’s existence. It sure affected mine a great deal.

I guess that’s why I despise Santa Claus (The commercialised version). And when I say despise, I mean loathe, in every sense of the word. Funny how I wasted too much energy on a non-existent entity, but for some reason, he has become the symbol of a great lie to me. Besides, Christmas is not really about Santa in Christianity, so why do we put so much attention and emphasis on Santa, and why is he a part of Christmas anyway? People say he symbolizes the spirit of giving, yeah right. Isn’t Jesus the embodiment of giving, so why the need for Santa?

In a country where Christians are the majority such as the Philippines, I find it strange that we seem to be celebrating Santa Claus more than we celebrate Jesus. Ask little children what comes to mind when they hear the word Christmas and they will answer, “Santa Claus”, “reindeer”, “elves” and everything that has something to do with Santa. It’s very rare to hear the name Jesus. Catholicism is part of Philippine culture, but with this growing trend of materialism and consumerism, we seem to be losing our culture, beliefs, and values, resulting in losing our identity as Filipinos. I think it’s sad.